Fleeing airstrikes by the Military Council, the war-displaced Karenni (Kayah) people taking temporary shelter in Thailand are apprehensive about the possibility of deportation.
The Karenni people displaced by war have been offered temporary asylum on the Thai side by the authorities, yet they are deeply concerned as recent rumors suggest the possibility of being returned to the former refugee camp that was targeted by aerial bombardments.
"Thai authorities told us that eventually they'll stop letting us stay and make us go back. We've told them we don't want to return; we want to stay in Thailand. Right now, they've let us in and found a place for us to stay”, said Daw Wei Me, a Karenni war-displaced woman.
The Karenni people displaced by the conflicts have been in Thailand for over a month, finding shelter in temporary tents arranged by the Thai authorities.
Due to ongoing shelling and airstrikes by the Military Council in the vicinity of the refugee camp in Karenni State where they sought shelter previously, the war-displaced people are apprehensive about returning to that location.
"I really don't want to go back. Saying 'I don't dare to go back' is more accurate than saying 'I don't want to go back.' If I can go to another country with the United Nations' help, that's okay with me. The most important thing is being safe and secure. That's all I'm hoping for. If they make us go back, I just want to firmly say we don't want to”, a thirty-year-old refugee told Kantarawaddy Times.
The Karenni refugees accepted in Thailand are confined within the temporary camp and receive support for their food through collective efforts of donors who cook and provide meals for them.
"The Thai government hasn't told us if they'll let the refugees stay for a long time. When we don't have clear information, there's not much we can do”, she explained.
The Karenni refugees now seeking shelter in Thailand escaped when their former safe haven, the Dor No Koo refugee camp, was bombarded.
As per the list compiled by Thai authorities, there are 3886 Karenni refugees who have arrived from Dor No Koo.
